Was thinking of heading to the Cobbler to look at ramshead gully or maclays crack, have been only been once in summer ages ago so not really familiar with the area. What are the approach slopes like and are there any cornices to deal with at the top?

> (In reply to wheelsucker)
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> Was thinking of heading to the Cobbler to look at ramshead gully or maclays crack, have been only been once in summer ages ago so not really familiar with the area. What are the approach slopes like and are there any cornices to deal with at the top?
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> Appreciate any advice!

Approach to north peak from Narnain boulders is fine. A couple of small shallow patches of windslab which is avoidable and the path is pretty trampled down and icey. I had to get an axe out to get up the final bit before it takes you out onto the flat bit before the wee gully bit which takes you up to north peak.

Maclays Crack looked really good but the wind was brutal. I am very keen to get back up again in the next few days.

In reply to Milesy: Amazing nick for any of the mixed routes by the looks of it. I remember just enjoying Ramshead, and it was towards the top of my grade at the time, so it must have been decently protected otherwise it would stick in my mind more.

Still very good conditions today, but the buttresses have lost a bit of rime since those photos were taken, especially near the bottom of Central and North peak. We had designs on Recess Route but felt it was too rocky low down, although others may have persevered. Plenty to do though - get involved!

In reply to Milesy:
Hi Milesy,
Yep, because of the orientation of many of the routes they get a lot of direct sunshine from early in the day and so the routes can be stripped in a couple of hours....hence cloudy cold conditions are the DB's...
ANdy

Very - there seemed to be a little avalanche debris to the right of the fang, but it looked well plastered right along south and central peaks at he moment. It's a fantastic sight in full "winter plumage"

It was quiet as the grave when we were there yesterday - as far as I could see, there wasn't another soul about. Mind you, it was nice contrast to being out in the Norther Corries a couple of weeks ago, where it was starting to look like Sauchiehall St by mid-morning.

> People should be doing North Wall Groove, North Wall Traverse, Gibber, Nimlin's, Grassy Traverse, Deadman's, Viva Glasvegas etc. They all look perfect!

North Wall Traverse was pretty good today, although we couldn't figure what was the correct exit at the top of the last pitch - they all felt/looked quite 'ard! Eventually pressing time prompted an ab...

In reply to Jamie B: As I remember you climb steep but not difficult ground on North Face itself, but very close to the arete. Same finish for Nimlin's as well but obviously that's coming up the arete to that point; and I think Gibber follows the same line there as well.

Yes, the crux was a bit of a stopper. I'm not sure if the guidebook description of a high and a low method is helpful - it all boils down to getting across and is probably tech 6.

I wish I'd had more time to bring up partner and have a proper go at the top wall, but having supposedly done the crux and with the rope running loosely across ledges my resolve was waning! Both possible finishes had cleaned gear slots but not much scratching, so I'm really not sure what most people do?

Aye, Tech 6 seems about right. The word on the street is it'll be IV,6 in the new guidebook.

Back on the Cobbler today soloing some easy stuff. The sun came out as I was heading down the hill around 11 and very hot so will most likely strip some of the routes on the North Peak which were looking lean lower down anyway.

South Peak still in very good nick though and Northwall Groove has had some action recently looking at the path up the top pitch.